Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
For my master's thesis, I am tracking inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon (post-spawning kelts) using acoustic telemetry. This is the only Atlantic salmon population classified as endangered under the Canadian Species at Risk Act and is currently maintained by a captive-breeding program at the Coldbrook Biodiversity Center. My research will help fill the knowledge gaps surrounding migration patterns, predation rates, and marine survival - informing better management of this species. This project is funded by the Canadian Nature Fund. In May 2024 I graduated with a BSc with first-class honours in Marine Biology, a minor in Sustainability, a certificate in Aquaculture and the Environment, and a certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment. For my honours thesis, I tested the viability of electroanesthesia as an alternative to chemical anesthesia when surgically tagging Atlantic mackerel with acoustic transmitters. This project contributed to the development of a suitable tagging methodology for this species and helped to facilitate an at-sea tracking study using the acoustic telemetry technology provided by the Ocean Tracking Network.
Completed literature reviews, assisted with surgical tagging procedures, performed statistical analyses and developed an optimized tagging methodology for Atlantic mackerel.
Lab Demonstrator for BIOL1010/1011 - Principles of Biology As a lab demonstrator, I individually supervise 30 students for a 2-hour weekly lab. I introduce and guide students through laboratory exercises that investigate the fundamental principles of biology. Topics include cell and molecular biology, the role of enzymes, inheritance genetics, evolution, plant transpiration, the principles of ecology, and animal diversity.
Teaching assistant for BIOL1020 - Introductory Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Evolution
Lab marker for BIOL3371 - Animal Physiology
Marker and guest lecturer for SUST3102 - Coastal Change and Adaptation
2-week long intership with The Laboratory for Fresh Water Ecology and Inland Fisheries unit of the Norwegian Research Centre. In this role, I assisted PhD researcher Saron Behre with field work for her thesis on Salmonid ecology in Svalbard. My responsibilities included: - Setting and maintaining gill nets - Operating outboard motor boats - Supporting logistical planning for fishing locations - Dissections and sample collection of multiple fish species - Surgical tagging procedure of Atlantic salmon
In this role, I worked on improving the current communications plan, created a data analytics tracking system, and helped establish a science communications intern position. On the day-to-day, I maintained the social media platforms, website, and public schedule, and delegated communications and community outreach tasks to other team members.